Keyless chuck with automatic and manual locking

ABSTRACT

A keyless chuck having both an automatic locking feature and a manual locking feature. The automatic locking feature provides for automatic locking of the chuck in a tightened state when a predetermined tightening torque has been exceeded. The chuck can be utilized with only the automatic locking feature engaged. If desired, a manual locking feature can also be engaged wherein rotation of the outer sleeve relative to the body is prevented. A retaining feature can be employed to inhibit the movement of the manual locking feature between a locked and unlocked position. The retaining feature thereby avoids accidental engaging or disengaging of the manual locking feature.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/920,139 filed on Aug. 17, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,360,770. The disclosure of the above application is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to keyless chucks and, more particularly,to keyless chucks with an automatic axial lock.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Keyless chucks operable to retain a work piece therein by rotationalmovement of an outer sleeve relative to the body of the chuck are known.Many of these keyless chucks incorporate a locking feature to preventthe sleeve from opening the chuck during use. One type of lockingfeature is an automatic locking feature wherein, as the jaws aretightened about the work piece, the sleeve, upon receiving a tighteningtorque in excess of a predetermined value, will lock or detent into alocked position that inhibits loosening of the chuck. This automaticlocking feature provides for a quick and easy way of locking the workpiece in the chuck. This automatic locking feature, however, may openduring use in certain situations, such as abrupt stall, high vibration,and when the sleeve rubs on an object while working in a tight space.Thus, while this type of automatic locking feature provides for a quickand easy way of securing a work piece in a chuck, it only providesmoderate performance and may be susceptible to opening during use.

A second type of locking feature that can be utilized is a manuallocking feature. With this type of locking feature, a user is requiredto tighten the chuck onto the work piece and then manually lock thechuck sleeve via axial movement of the sleeve, or a connected component,with respect to the body. This type of locking chuck provides excellentperformance in that the locking sleeve is prevented from looseningduring operation by being rotationally fixed relative to the body. Theuse of the manually locking feature, however, adds an extra step to theuse of the tool incorporating the chuck. Thus, while greater performancecan be achieved, the use of such a chuck is more time consuming.

Thus, the current keyless locking chucks require a choice betweenutilizing one that incorporates an automatic lock or one thatincorporates a manual locking feature. Accordingly, when selecting achuck, a tradeoff must be made between choosing one that is quicker tooperate, but provides a less secure locking feature and may loosenduring use, and choosing one that provides superior locking performance,but requires an additional step to achieve this benefit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of the present invention have developed a new and novelapproach to address the tradeoffs required in prior art keyless chucks.The inventors have developed a new keyless chuck that incorporates bothan automatic locking feature and a manual locking feature. The chuck canbe operated with just the automatic locking feature during situationswhen the quick securing of a work piece to the chuck is desirable andthe additional protection of the manual locking feature is notnecessary. When the additional protection provided by the manual lockingfeature is needed and the extra step associated with performing themanual locking feature is desired, the chuck can also be manually lockedin place. Thus, the keyless chuck of the present invention provides thebenefits of both an automatic locking feature and a manual lockingfeature without requiring a tradeoff between the two types of lockingfeatures. Furthermore, the present chuck allows for utilizing strictlythe automatic locking feature or utilizing the automatic locking featurein conjunction with the manual locking feature.

A chuck according to the principles of the present invention includesmoveable jaws operable to selectively retain a work piece. There is anactuating member operable to cause the jaws to move when the actuatingmember rotates relative to the jaws. Movement of the jaws corresponds totightening and loosening of the jaws. A first locking feature isoperable to selectively prevent the actuating member from rotatingrelative to the jaws. The second locking feature is operable to inhibitthe actuating member from rotating relative to the jaws. The secondlocking feature inhibits loosening of the jaws after a tightening forceexceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between the actuatingmember and a component of the second locking feature.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of securing a workpiece in a chuck is disclosed. The method includes: (1) positioning thework piece between jaws of the chuck; (2) rotating an actuating memberrelative to the jaws to tighten the jaws to the work piece; (3)automatically inhibiting loosening rotation of the actuating member witha first locking member after a tightening force exceeding apredetermined value is imparted between the actuating member and thefirst locking member; and (4) rotationally locking the actuating memberrelative to the jaws with a second locking member.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a keyless chuck according to theprinciples of the present invention utilized on a power tool;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the chuck ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A and B show a partial cross-sectional view of the chuck of FIG.1 with the automatic locking feature engaged and a manual lockingfeature respectively disengaged and engaged;

FIGS. 4A and B are fragmented partial sectional views of a portion ofthe chuck of FIG. 1 showing the engagement between the ratchetingmechanism and the inner sleeve with the automatic locking featureengaged and the manual locking feature respectively disengaged andengaged;

FIGS. 5A and B are fragmented partial sectional views of a portion ofthe chuck of FIG. 1 showing the engagement between the nut, the innersleeve, and the ratcheting mechanism with the automatic locking featureengaged and the manual locking feature respectively disengaged andengaged; and

FIGS. 6A and B are fragmented partial sectional views of a portion ofthe chuck of FIG. 1 showing a portion of the manual locking feature in arespective disengaged and engaged position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merelyexemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses.

Referring to FIG. 1, a keyless chuck 20, according to the principles ofthe present invention, is shown attached to a power tool 22, such as adrill or a like. An exploded view of chuck 20 is shown in FIG. 2. Chuck20 includes an end cap 24, three jaws 26, a body 28, a retaining cup 30,loose ball bearings 32, an automatic locking and ratcheting mechanism34, a nut 36, an inner nose 38, an inner sleeve 40, an outer sleeve 42,and an outer nose 44. These components of chuck 20 are assembledtogether and enable chuck 20 to selectively retain a work piece and toimpart a desired movement thereto via operation of power tool 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A and B, chuck 20 includes an automatic lockingfeature generally indicated as 46. Automatic locking feature 46 operatesto lock chuck 20 in a tightened position and inhibits a loosening ofchuck 20. Automatic locking feature 46 includes engagement between theautomatic locking and ratcheting mechanism 34 (hereinafter referred toas ratcheting mechanism) and inner sleeve 40, as described in moredetail below. Chuck 20 also includes a manual locking feature, generallyindicated as 48. Manual locking feature 48 is operable to rotationallylock inner sleeve 40 to body 28 such that relative rotation therebetweenis prevented. Manual locking feature 48 allows selective engagementbetween inner sleeve 40 and body 28, as shown in FIGS. 6A and B, byaxially moving inner sleeve 40 relative to body 28, as described in moredetail below. Chuck 20 also includes a retaining feature generallyindicated as 50. Retaining feature 50 inhibits axial movement of innersleeve 40 relative to body 28 and works in conjunction with manuallocking feature 48, as described in more detail below.

Jaws 26 are disposed around body 28 in guides 52. Each jaw 26 has outerthreads 54 that engage with internal threads 55 on nut 36. Jaws 26 moveaxially along a centerline axis (not shown) of guides 52 relative tobody 28 as nut 36 rotates relative to body 28. Jaws 26 are preferablymade of metal, such as steel.

Body 28 has three sets of teeth 56 extending radially outwardly. Teeth56 are spaced apart along the outer surface of body 28. Teeth 56 form aportion of manual locking feature 48 and can be engaged withcomplementary teeth on inner sleeve 40 to rotationally fix inner sleeve40 and body 28 together such that relative rotation therebetween isprevented, as described in more detail below. Body 28 also includes aradially extending annular projection 58 that engages with complementaryannular recesses in inner sleeve 40 to inhibit axial movement of innersleeve 40 relative to body 28, thereby preventing or minimizing theaccidental unlocking of manual locking feature 48, as described in moredetail below. The engagement between annular protection 58 and thecomplementary recesses on inner sleeve 40 form retaining feature 50.Body 28 is preferably made of metal, such as steel.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, retaining cup 30 is disposed around body28. Radially inwardly extending projections or tabs 60 on cup 30 engagewith complementary recesses on body 28 to rotationally fix cup 30 tobody 28 such that relative rotation therebetween is prohibited. Cup 30includes a track or race for bearings 32 to reside in and roll aroundduring loosening and tightening of chuck 20. Cup 30 also includes aplurality of ratcheting steps or teeth 62 that engage with ratchetingmechanism 34 to provide an audible indication of the tightening of chuck20, as described in more detail below. Cup 30 is preferably made ofsteel.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, ratcheting mechanism 34 is disposedaround body 28. Ratcheting mechanism 34 is capable of rotation relativeto body 28. Ratcheting mechanism 34 includes a track or race that facesthe track on cup 30 and engages with bearings 32 disposed therebetween.Bearings 32 facilitate relative rotation between ratcheting mechanism 34and body 28. Ratcheting mechanism 34 has three sets of arms, generallyindicated as 64, that extend axially and radially outwardly and arespaced apart along ratcheting mechanism 34. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,each set of arms 64 includes a ratcheting arm 66 and a locking arm 68.Each ratcheting arm 66 engages with a recess and inner sleeve 40 andwith ratcheting steps 62 in cup 30 to provide an audible clicking aschuck 20 is being tightened, as described below. Each locking arm 68engages with a pair of recesses in inner sleeve 40 to allow inner sleeve40 to rotate ratcheting mechanism 34 to tighten and loosen chuck 20.Locking arm 68 functions to automatically lock chuck 20 in a tightenedstate once a torque applied by inner sleeve 40 to ratcheting mechanism34 exceeds a predetermined value, as discussed below. Ratchetingmechanism 34 is preferably made of metal, such as stamped spring steel.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, ratcheting mechanism 34 includesaxially extending projections or tabs 70 that engage with recesses 72 onnut 36 to rotationally fix ratcheting mechanism 34 to nut 36 such thatrelative rotation therebetween is not possible.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 5, nut 36 is disposed on body 28 withthreads 55 engaged with threads 54 on jaws 26. Nut 36 is capable ofrotation relative to body 28 and jaws 26. Nut 36 includes axiallyextending projections or tabs 74 that engage with recesses 76 in theinner surface of inner sleeve 40. Tabs 74 are narrower than recesses 76and allow for a limited range of relative rotation between nut 36 andinner sleeve 40. This limited relative rotation allows for locking arm68 to lock and unlock chuck 20 in the tightened state, as described inmore detail below. Rotation of nut 36 relative to body 28 causes jaws 26to move in and out of chuck 20 to grip and release a work piece, as isknown in the art. Nut 36 is preferably made of metal, such as poweredmetal.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, inner nose 38 is pressed onto body 28and is rotationally and axially fixed thereto. Jaws 26 extend out of andretract into inner nose 38 when tightening and loosening chuck 20. Innernose 38 axially secures cup 30, ratcheting mechanism 34, and nut 36relative to body 28. Inner nose 38 includes a radially outwardlyextending annular projection 80 that, as shown in FIGS. 3A and B, limitsforward axial movement of outer nose 44. Inner nose 30 is preferablymade of metal, such as steel.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, inner sleeve 40 is disposed around body 28and is axially moveable between an unlocked position (FIGS. 3A, 4A, 5A,and 6A) and a locked position (FIGS. 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B) relative tobody 28. When in the unlocked position, inner sleeve 40 can rotaterelative to body 28. When in the locked position, inner sleeve 40 isrotationally fixed to body 28, and relative rotation therebetween isprevented. The inner surface of inner sleeve 40 includes a plurality ofradially inwardly extending teeth 82 that can be selectively engagedwith teeth 56 on body 28, via axial movement of inner sleeve 40 relativeto body 28, to rotationally lock inner sleeve 40 to body 28 such thatrelative rotation therebetween is prevented. Engagement of teeth 82 withteeth 56 corresponds to the locked position of inner sleeve 40. Teeth 82on inner sleeve 40 and teeth 56 on body 28 form manual locking feature48. Inner sleeve 40 is preferably made of a polymer, such as aglass-filled nylon. Preferably, the nylon contains at least 30% glass byweight.

As best seen in FIGS. 3A and B, the inner surface of inner sleeve 40includes a front and rear annular recess 84, 86. Recesses 84, 86 engagewith annular projection 58 on body 28 to inhibit axial movement of innersleeve 40 relative to body 28. Inhibiting the relative axial movementprevents or minimizes accidental locking and unlocking of manual lockingfeature 48. The inhibition is overcome by application of an axial forcesufficient to overcome the engagement between projection 58 and recesses84, 86. Front and rear recesses 84, 86 on inner sleeve 40 and annularprojection 58 on body 28 form retaining feature 50. When in the unlockedposition, as shown in FIG. 3A, projection 58 is disposed within rearrecess 86. When in the locked position, as shown in FIG. 3B, projection58 is disposed in front recess 84. The use of annular projection 58 isadvantageous in that it provides a 360 degree engagement with recesses84, 86 which provides a superior retaining feature and a more evendistribution of the loads imparted between projection 58 and frontrecesses 84, 86 when moving into and out of engagement.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and B, inner sleeve 40 includes 3 sets ofaxially extending recesses that engage with three sets of arms 64 ofratcheting mechanism 34. Each set of recesses includes a ratchet recess88, a loosening/opening recess 90, and a tightening or closing recess92. Ratchet recess 88 includes a tightening/closing ramp 94 and aloosening/opening ramp 96. Ratchet arm 66 will ride along tighteningramp 94 when inner sleeve 40 is being rotated to tighten chuck 20 andwill ride along loosening ramp 96 when inner sleeve 40 is being rotatedto loosen chuck 20. The shape or slope of loosening ramp 96 causesratcheting arm 66 to move radially inwardly and disengage from ratchetsteps 62 such that no audible clicking will be heard during theloosening of chuck 20.

A jump or projection 98 is disposed between loosening and tighteningrecesses 90, 92. Locking arm 68 will ride within loosening recess 90 andpress against jump 98, while inner sleeve 40 is being rotated to tightenchuck 20. This interaction causes ratchet mechanism 34 to drive rotationof nut 36 to tighten jaws 26 and chuck 20. When the torque between innersleeve 40 and locking arm 68 exceeds a predetermined value (asdetermined by such things as the height and slope of jump 98, thefriction between jump 98 and locking arm 68, and the spring rate oflocking arm 68), locking arm 68 will jump over jump 98 and intotightening recess 92. The movement of locking arm 68 into tighteningrecess 92 causes a single loud audible click or noise indicating thatchuck 20 is now fully tightened. The jumping of locking arm 68 over jump98 results in a limited relative rotation between inner sleeve 40 andnut 36. When inner sleeve 40 is subsequently rotated to loosen chuck 20,locking arm 68 will jump back over jump 98 and into loosening recess 90and drive rotation of ratcheting mechanism 34, which in turn drivesrotation of nut 36 to loosen jaws 26 and chuck 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and B, axially extending recess 76 in innersleeve 40 is shown with tabs 74 of nut 36 disposed therein. Recess 76 iswider than tab 34 to allow for limited relative rotation therebetweenand accommodates movement of locking arm 68 between loosening andtightening recesses 90, 92 along with movement of ratcheting arm 66between tightening ramp 94 and loosening ramp 96.

Loosening and tightening recesses 90, 92, locking arm 68, and theirengagement form automatic locking feature 46. The jumping of locking arm68 from loosening recess 90 into tightening recess 92 is the automaticlock of chuck 20 and locks chuck 20 in the tightened state.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, outer sleeve 42 is disposed on innersleeve 40 and is fixed axially and rotationally relative thereto.Rotation of outer sleeve 42 drives rotation of inner sleeve 40, andaxial movement of outer sleeve 42 drives axial movement of inner sleeve40. Outer sleeve 42 is preferably made of metal, such as steel.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, outer nose 44 snaps onto inner sleeve40 and retains outer sleeve 42 on inner sleeve 40. Outer nose 44 isfixed rotationally and axially to inner sleeve 40 and outer sleeve 42.As such, rotation of outer sleeve 42 causes rotation of outer nose 44and axial movement of outer sleeve 42 causes axial movement of outernose 44. The fixed relation between inner sleeve 40, outer sleeve 42,and outer nose 44 forms a sleeve assembly, generally indicated as 100,with all of these components moving in unison with one another. Outernose 44 includes an internal annular shoulder 102 that engages withprojection 80 on inner nose 38 to limit forward axial movement of sleeveassembly 100. Outer nose 44 is preferably made of metal, such as steel.

In operation, the loosening of chuck 20 is performed by rotating sleeveassembly 100 relative to body 28. Sleeve assembly 100 can be rotatedrelative to body 28 when manual locking feature 48 is in the unlockedstate, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 6A. The unlocked state for manuallocking feature 48 corresponds to sleeve assembly 100 being axiallymoved to its forwardmost position. When in this position, teeth 82 ininner sleeve 40 are forward of and not engaged with teeth 56 on body 28.With manual locking feature 48 disengaged, sleeve assembly 100 iscapable of rotation relative to body 28 to cause chuck 20 to loosen ortighten, depending upon the direction of rotation of sleeve assembly100. Furthermore, with manual locking feature 48 in the unlockedposition, annular projection 58 is engaged in rear recess 86 of innersleeve 40.

When chuck 20 is in its loosest state, ratchet arm 66 is disposed withinratchet recess 88 between tightening ramp 94 and loosening ramp 96.Locking arm 68 is disposed within loosening recess 90. As shown in FIGS.4A and B, the axial depth of ratchet recess 88, loosening recess 90, andtightening recess 92 accommodates the axial movement of sleeve assembly100 relative to ratcheting mechanism 34 while maintaining an engagementbetween ratcheting and locking arms 66, 68 and recesses 88, 90, 92 ofinner sleeve 40. This is evidenced by the gap between the ends of theprojections on arms 66, 68 and the forward end walls of recesses 88, 90,92 and inner sleeve 40, as shown in FIG. 4A. When sleeve assembly 100 ismoved to its rearmost position, as shown in FIG. 4B, the gap between theforward end walls of recesses 88, 90, 92 and the ends of the projectionson arms 66, 68 is diminished.

Accordingly, chuck 20 allows for axial movement of inner sleeve 40 andsleeve assembly 100 relative to ratcheting mechanism 34. Additionally,recesses 76 are also dimensioned to allow for relative axial movementbetween inner sleeve 40 and nut 36 while maintaining tabs 74 withinrecesses 76, as shown in FIGS. 5A and B. Furthermore, when chuck 20 isin a loose state, tabs 74 of nut 36 may be disposed at any locationwithin recesses 76 and are not necessarily engaged with the sidewalls ofrecesses 76, thus allowing for some limited relative rotation betweeninner sleeve 40 and nut 36.

To tighten chuck 20, sleeve assembly 100 is rotated. The rotation ofsleeve assembly 100 is imparted to ratcheting mechanism 34 via theengagement between locking arm 68 and jump 98 and inner sleeve 40. Asinner sleeve 40 is rotated, locking arm 68 approaches jump 98. Jump 98prevents locking arm 68 from jumping into tightening recess 92 until thetorque therebetween exceeds a predetermined value. Thus, jump 98 pusheson locking arm 68 to cause rotation of ratcheting mechanism 34 relativeto body 28. As ratcheting mechanism 34 rotates, tabs 70 impartrotational movement to nut 36. As nut 36 rotates relative to body 28,jaws 26 extend out of chuck 20 and tighten about a work piece disposedwithin jaws 26. Additionally, ratcheting arm 66 is disposed ontightening ramp 94. With ratcheting arm 66 engaged with tightening ramp94, ratcheting arm 66 will also be engaged with ratchet steps 62. Thus,as ratchet mechanism 34 rotates relative to the body 28 and cup 30, theengagement between ratcheting arm 66 and ratchet step 62 will provide asubstantially continues audible clicking as the relative rotationoccurs.

Once jaws 26 come into engagement with the work piece or with oneanother, continued rotation of sleeve assembly 100 causes the torquebetween inner sleeve 40 and ratcheting mechanism 34 to increase. Oncethe torque exceeds the predetermined value, locking arm 68 will jumpover jump 98 and into tightening recess 92 and provide a single loudaudible click to indicate that chuck 20 is now fully tightened.Furthermore, as locking arm 68 jumps into tightening recess 92,ratcheting arm 66 will move further along tightening ramp 94.Additionally, relative rotation between inner sleeve 40 and nut 36occurs as locking arm 68 jumps from loosening recess 90 to tighteningrecess 92 and results in tabs 74 of nut 36 moving to a position adjacentthe sidewall of recess 76 of inner sleeve 40. This engagement betweentabs 74 and recess 76 rotationally locks inner sleeve 40 to nut 36 suchthat no more relative rotation in the tightening direction is possible.

With locking arm 68 residing within tightening recess 92, automaticlocking feature 46 is thereby engaged, and chuck 20 and the work piecetherein can be used as desired. If additional security against chuck 20loosening during operation is desired, manual locking feature 48 can beengaged by moving sleeve assembly 100 axially rearwardly. Retainingfeature 50 will resist this movement such that engagement of manuallocking feature 48 cannot be accidentally engaged or disengaged. Toengage manual locking feature 48, sleeve assembly 100 is moved axiallyrearwardly and projection 58 exits rear recess 86 and enters frontrecess 84, as shown in FIG. 3B. Simultaneously, teeth 82 on inner sleeve40 move into engagement with teeth 56 on body 28, as shown in FIGS. 3Band 6B. Engagement between teeth 82 and teeth 56 rotationally securesinner sleeve 40 to body 28 such that rotational movement therebetween isprevented. With automatic locking feature 46 engaged and manual lockingfeature 48 engaged, chuck 20 is prevented from loosening duringoperation, thus providing a superior holding ability. Accordingly, chuck20 can be operated with either only the automatic locking feature 46engaged or with both automatic locking feature 46 and manual lockingfeature 48 engaged.

To loosen chuck 20, manually locking feature 48, if engaged, is moved toa disengaged position by moving sleeve assembly 100 axially forwardrelative to body 28. This relative movement causes projection 58 to movefrom being engaged with front recess 84, as shown in FIG. 3B, to beingengaged with rear recess 86, as shown in FIG. 3A. Simultaneously, teeth82 of inner sleeve 40 disengage from teeth 56 on body 28, as shown inFIGS. 3A and 6A. With manual locking feature 48 disengaged, sleeveassembly 100 can then be rotated relative to body 28 to loosen chuck 20.Initial rotation of sleeve 100 to loosen chuck 20 is inhibited byautomatic locking feature 46 and the engagement between locking arm 68and jump 98. When a sufficient torque exists between jump 98 and lockingarm 68, locking arm 68 will jump jump 98 and move into loosening recess90, providing a single loud audible click or noise. Simultaneously,relative rotation between inner sleeve 40 and nut 36 will occur due tothe difference in width between recesses 76 of inner sleeve 40 and tabs34 of nut 36. As inner sleeve 40 is continued to be rotated relative tobody 28 to loosen chuck 20, loosening recess 90 will push on locking arm68 to drive rotation of ratcheting mechanism 34 and nut 36 relative tobody 28 and cause ratcheting arm 66 to ride up onto loosening ramp 96.As ratcheting arm 66 rides up loosening ramp 96, ratcheting arm 66 movesradially inwardly and disengages from ratchet steps 62. Thisdisengagement prevents ratchet steps 62 from inhibiting the loosening ofchuck 20 and removes any audible noise from recurring as chuck 20 isloosened. Sleeve assembly 100 can then continue to be rotated untilchuck 20 is in the desired loose state. If desired, chuck 20 can bemanually locked while chuck 20 is in a loose state by axially movingsleeve assembly 100 rearwardly relative to body 28.

The proceeding description of the invention is merely exemplary innature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of theinvention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Forexample, the audible noises provided by engagement of ratchetingmechanism 34, inner sleeve 40, and/or cup 30 can be eliminated, ifdesired. Furthermore, the number of sets of arms 64 and sets of recesses88, 90, 92 on the inner sleeve 40 can be more or less, as desired.Additionally, other materials of construction can be imparted for thevarious components. Moreover, it should be appreciated that manuallocking feature 48 can be used without engaging automatic lockingfeature 46, if desired. For example, when a work piece having ahex-shaped shaft is used, the work piece can be tightened to less thanthe predetermined torque, thereby not activating automatic lockingfeature 46, and then engaging manual locking feature 48. Such a usagemay be useful to provide quick changes between work pieces having hexshafts of similar size. It should also be appreciated that chuck 20 canbe used on a manually operated tool. Moreover, it should be readilyapparent to one skilled in the art that chuck 20 can be manipulated(tightened, loosened, and locked—both automatically and manually)through a single-handed operation because of automatic locking feature46 and manual locking feature 48. Accordingly, such variations are notto be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A chuck comprising: moveable jaws operable to selectively retain awork piece; an actuating member operable to cause said jaws to move whensaid actuating member rotates relative to said jaws, movement of saidjaws corresponding to tightening and loosening said jaws; a firstlocking feature operable to selectively prevent said actuating memberfrom rotating relative to said jaws regardless of a non-breakingrotational force imparted on said actuating member, said first lockingfeature being separate from said jaws; and a second locking featureoperable to inhibit said actuating member from rotating relative to saidjaws, said second locking feature moving to an inhibiting position whena force exceeding a predetermined value has been imparted between saidactuating member and a component of said second locking feature, saidsecond locking feature inhibiting loosening of said jaws when in saidinhibiting position.
 2. The chuck of claim 1, wherein said force is atightening force.
 3. The chuck of claim 2, wherein said tightening forceis a first force and wherein said second locking feature disengages whena second force exceeding a predetermined value is imparted between saidactuating member and said component of said second locking feature. 4.The chuck of claim 3, wherein said second force is a loosening force. 5.The chuck of claim 1, further comprising: a body around which said jawsare disposed, said body and said jaws being substantially rotationallyfixed relative to one another; and a nut disposed on said body andcapable of rotation relative to said body, said nut being engaged withsaid jaws so that rotation of said nut relative to said jaws causesmovement of said jaws.
 6. The chuck of claim 5, wherein said actuatingmember is a sleeve directly engaged with said nut and said engagementbetween said sleeve and said nut allows a limited relative rotationtherebetween.
 7. The chuck of claim 6, wherein said sleeve can moveaxially relative to said nut and maintain said engagement between saidactuating member and said nut.
 8. The chuck of claim 1, wherein saidsecond locking feature includes a locking member operable between saidinhibiting position and a non-inhibiting position corresponding to saidsecond locking feature not inhibiting said actuating member fromrotating relative to said jaws, said locking member being engaged with afirst feature on said actuating member when in said inhibiting position,said locking member being engaged with a second feature on saidactuating member when in said non-inhibiting position, and said lockingmember moving from engagement with said second feature to engagementwith said first feature when said force exceeding said predeterminedvalue has been imparted between said actuating member and said lockingmember.
 9. The chuck of claim 1, wherein said first locking feature isoperable to prevent said actuating member from rotating relative to saidjaws independent of a status of said second locking feature.
 10. Thechuck of claim 1, wherein said first locking feature is operable toprevent said actuating member from rotating relative to said jawsindependent of a relative axial position between said actuating memberand said jaws.
 11. A power tool having the chuck of claim
 1. 12. Thepower tool of claim 11, wherein the power tool is hand operated.
 13. Achuck comprising: moveable jaws operable to selectively retain a workpiece; a body around which said jaws are disposed, said body and saidjaws being substantially rotationally fixed relative to one another; anut disposed on said body and capable of rotation relative to said body,said nut engaged with said jaws such that rotation of said nut relativeto said jaws causes movement of said jaws; an actuating member coupledto said nut and operable to cause said jaws to move when said actuatingmember rotates relative to said jaws, movement of said jawscorresponding to tightening and loosening said jaws; a first lockingfeature comprising a first locking element associated with saidactuating member and a second locking element associated with said body,said first locking feature operable to prevent said actuating memberfrom rotating relative to said jaws when said first and second lockingelements are engaged with one another, and said second locking elementbeing an integral component of said body; and a second locking featurecomprising a first inhibiting element associated with said actuatingmember and a second inhibiting element associated with said nut, saidsecond locking feature operable to inhibit said actuating member fromrotating relative to said jaws, said second locking feature inhibitingloosening of said jaws until a force exceeding a predetermined value hasbeen imparted between said first and second inhibiting elements.
 14. Thechuck of claim 13, wherein said first locking element is integral withsaid actuating member.
 15. The chuck of claim 14, wherein said firstlocking element is a plurality of axially extending grooves in saidactuating member.
 16. The chuck of claim 13, wherein said second lockingelement is a plurality of axially extending grooves in said body. 17.The chuck of claim 13, wherein both of said first and second lockingelements are integral components of said actuating member and said body,respectively.
 18. The chuck of claim 13, wherein said actuating memberis manually axially moveable between first and second positions, saidfirst position corresponding to said first and second locking elementsbeing disengaged and allowing rotation of said actuating member relativeto said jaws, and said second position corresponding to said first andsecond locking elements being engaged and preventing rotation of saidactuating member relative to said jaws.
 19. The chuck of claim 13,wherein said first locking feature is operable to prevent said actuatingmember from rotating relative to said jaws independent of a status ofsaid second locking feature.
 20. The power tool of claim 19, wherein thepower tool is hand operated.
 21. A power tool having the chuck of claim13.
 22. A method of securing a work piece in a chuck that can beattached to a power tool, the method comprising: (a) positioning thework piece between jaws of the chuck; (b) rotating an actuating memberrelative to said jaws to tighten said jaws to the work piece; (c)automatically inhibiting loosening rotation of said actuating memberwith a first locking member after a tightening force exceeding apredetermined value is imparted between said actuating member and saidfirst locking member; and (d) locking said actuating member relative tosaid jaws with a second locking member by axially moving a component ofthe chuck from a first unlocked position to a second locked position,said second locking member being one or more components of the chuck andoperable to be engaged independent of a status of the chuck beingattached to a power tool.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein (d)includes axially moving said actuating member from said first positionallowing said actuating member to rotate relative to said jaws to saidsecond position rotationally locking said actuating member relative tosaid jaws.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein movement of said jaws isdriven by an engagement between said actuating member and said firstlocking member, (b) is performed with said first locking member engagedwith a first engagement feature on said actuating member, and (c)includes moving said first locking member from engagement with saidfirst engagement feature to engagement with a second engagement featureon said actuating member as said force exceeds said predetermined value.25. A method of securing a work piece in a chuck, the method comprising:(a) positioning the work piece between jaws of the chuck; (b) rotatingan actuating member relative to said jaws to tighten said jaws to thework piece; (c) engaging a first locking feature of the chuck thatinhibits loosening rotation of said actuating member relative to saidjaws; and (d) engaging a second locking feature of the chuck afterengaging said first locking feature by axially moving a component of thechuck relative to the jaws from a first unlocked position to a secondlocked position, engaging said second locked feature preventingloosening rotation of said actuating member relative to said jaws whilesaid component is in said second position.
 26. The method of claim 25,wherein engaging said first locking feature includes applying arotational tightening force exceeding a predetermined engaging valuebetween said actuating member and a first locking member.
 27. The methodof claim 25, wherein said first locking feature is disengaged byapplying a loosening rotational force that exceeds a predetermineddisengaging value between said actuating member and said first lockingmember.
 28. The method of claim 25, wherein engaging said second lockingfeature includes moving said actuating member axially relative to saidjaws between said first and second positions.
 29. The method of claim25, wherein engaging said second locking feature includes engaging saidcomponent with teeth on a body of the chuck when in said secondposition.
 30. The method of claim 25, wherein said second lockingfeature is operable to be engaged independent of a status of the chuckbeing attached to a power tool.